An update of the National Bird Ringing Programme - September 2008

As part of the National Bird Ringing Programme, FOGSL conducted another bird ringing session at Bundala National Park from 17th to 21st September 2008, with the collaboration of Department of Wildlife Conservation. This session was conducted to capture birds at the beginning of the migrant season 2008/09.

As in previous seasons, netting sessions for waders were conducted at the Bundala lagoon. Number of birds and species observed in and around the lagoon during the period were very high. A total of eight species of waders and a Whiskered tern were captured during the netting sessions. Total number of birds captured was 61. Highest number of recaptures under the NBRP was recorded during this session. Kentish plovers (3), Common Redshanks (2) and a curlew Sandpiper were recaptured during the session. A single Grey Plover was recaptured for the first time after commencement of the NBRP.

Following birds were captured during this session.

Common Redshank
Curlew Sandpiper
Kentish Plover
Lesser Sandplover
Grey Plover
Little Stint
Marsh Sandpiper
Broad-billed Sandpiper
Whiskered Tern

A short netting session to capture forest birds in the scrub forest around the lagoon was also conducted. A total of 12 birds belong to seven species were captured during this session. A White-browed Bulbul which was ringed in July 2007 was recaptured during the session.

Following forest birds were captured during this session.

Red-vented Bulbul
White-browed Bulbul
Oriental White-eye
Tawny-bellied Babbler
Common Tailorbird
Scaly-breasted Munia
Little Green Bee-eater

A special training session on ‘bird ringing and basic bird studies’ were also conducted for the officers of the Department of Wildlife Conservation as a part of the National Bird Ringing Programme. A total of nine officers from DWC were trained during this session. Trainees from the DWC were R.S. Rathnayaka, M.D.P. Buddhika Roshan, P.A. Gunadasa, L.H.R. Kumara, K.A.D. Narada Kumarasiri, J.A.H. Melroy Jayakody, D.M.G.Y. Prabath, W.R.S. Dunuwila and L. Dulip Mendis.

Participants from FOGSL for this ringing session were C.D. Kaluthota, K. Dayananda, K.A.S. Sanjeewa, Pradeep Suranga, and Sameera Ariyarathna.

FOGSL show gratitude all the participants for their hard work in the field, and Mr. Sisira Kumara de Silva (Park Warden, Bundala NP) Uthpala Adaranga (Deputy Park Warden, Bundala NP), Chamara Munasinghe (Eco-tourism officer, Bundala NP) and the staff of the Bundala National Park for their contribution to facilitate this session.